Library Foundation's Annual Appeal Campaign

The Ithaca Journal
November 27, 2006
by Suzanne Smith Jablonski, Executive Director of the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation

The Tompkins County Public Library recently received this note from a patron named Alison: “Stories in the Park was the first children’s activity that we attended after moving to Ithaca, and we’ve made many friends through going to Toddler Storytime. It means a lot that you know and greet [my daughter] by name. You’re an important part of what makes this community such a wonderful place in which to raise children.”

Experiences like this one are the reason why each year generous, thoughtful people choose to contribute to the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation’s annual appeal campaign. In the library’s October guest column, TCPL trustee Robert Sullivan underscored how critical contributions are in enabling the library to provide the services and programs patrons need. Yet supporting the library is not merely about bridging budget gaps or offsetting funding shortfalls; it’s about helping people of all ages and backgrounds enrich their lives.

For so many people in our community, our library is not a frill or an extra; it is an essential part of their existence. For Alison, the library helped her and her daughter feel at home in a new place. George visits every day to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities available online, like email and newspapers, since he has no computer of his own. An immigrant family from Sri Lanka comes each Saturday to check out books and videos they otherwise couldn’t afford, which help them brush up on their English skills. Children Sandra and Paulina, who got to know the library through an outreach program, now bring their father and grandfather who’d never before used the library, so that all three generations benefit from what the library has to offer.

The theme of this year’s appeal is “Our Lively Library Lives!” Unlike the hushed libraries of yesteryear or popular imagery, the library is alive with activity. This year’s campaign chairperson, Carol U. Sisler, offers this explanation of why she has chosen to lead the fundraising effort. “The public library has meant a great deal to me and my family over the years. Books were and are a central interest in our sons’ lives. When they were youngsters, I always read to them before they went to sleep. My husband, Dan, who was blinded while serving in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, is an avid listener to audio books. To write my books on local history, I spent hours reading old newspapers on microfilm at the library – the only place they’re available. I’m leading this year’s campaign because I want all families in Tompkins County to have the same chance to learn and be enriched. I hope my fellow community members will join me in the effort to keep our library lively today and tomorrow.”

Here’s what you make possible with your gift to the annual appeal campaign:

You unlock a universe of knowledge, information and enjoyment. At its core, the library is still about books and other materials like recorded books, magazines, music CDs and DVDs. With your gift, you support the library’s ability to purchase, process, check in and out and shelve materials, so patrons can get what they want, when they want it.

You inspire children to become lifelong learners. Libraries have always helped elementary school aged kids. Today, we start from birth, showing parents and little ones the joy and value of reading. For school-aged children, the library is a homework help center; for teens, it’s a safe, inviting out-of-school spot.

You can put 21st century literacy within reach. The library levels the playing field, providing resources and services that help people of all incomes learn to read, use computers, make good decisions in an information-rich world and develop other skills they need to succeed.

You help unify our community. By offering arts, culture and science programs free of charge and open to all, the library brings together people with mutual interests as well as those who might not otherwise have an opportunity to connect.

With your gift, you help individuals and families flourish, and make ours a better place to live and work. We are truly grateful to all those who take part in this year’s campaign.

To find out more about how you can contribute to the “Our Lively Library Lives!” Annual Appeal Campaign, please call 272-4557 extension 232.